American Dental Association's Anti Denturist Policy – Denturist Data Not Available Through Federal Agencies – Transparency?

Denturist data is not available through federal agencies even though the Denturist Profession has been regulated in six states some for over 30 years. The American Dental Association Policy Handbook clearly outlines the act to suppress the denturist profession and intimidate dental suppliers of dental material to denturists. The American Dental Association and American Medical Association spend big dollars suppressing competition by lobbying against legislation to regulate Alternative Healthcare Professions. A good example of this is the recent federal legislation the American Dental Association lobbied against regarding the Dental Health Aide Therapists Program being expanded outside of Alaska that ADA fought Alaska to suppress.

There are several other programs that would be beneficial to the American people allowing them accessible and affordable healthcare. Due to the fact that these programs or professions are not supported by the American Dental Association and American Medical Association they are not registered with federal and state government agencies. No data is available for these professions. For example, I'm an educated licensed denturist that has fought long and hard for recognition and the right to provide the services associated with the denturist profession to provide affordable, oral prostheses care or denture care directly to the public.

The data for the denturist profession is not listed on federal registries as an occupation or profession even though I and a number of my colleagues over the years have requested acknowledgement of the denturist profession to be included for statistical and informational purposes. The denturist profession was not included in the new addition of the Department of Labor’s Occupational Handbook again, even though it's been regulated in six U.S. states providing jobs and services for over 30years in Oregon and Idaho.

I have contacted the Department of Labor over the past three years along with other federal agencies DOC, HHS, DOJ, CDC, FTC, IHS, BLS and AHRQ to have matters of discussion regarding the denturist profession for listing or registration. Montana, Arizona, Maine and Washington State regulate and license denturists. When talking to the different federal agencies I have cited the American Freedom of Information Act in hopes of gaining the information and recognition for the denturist profession but not much has happened.

As a student at the University of Wyoming, doing a paper, I have requested information from several federal agencies and the American Dental Association regarding information about my profession as a denturist. I'm told there is no information available through the federal agencies and the ADA tells me they can't provide the information to me because I'm not a dentist member.

The American people should have statistic and informational data regarding the success and benefits of the denturist profession as alternative oral healthcare providers, in order to consider national licensure of the denturist profession across the nation as it is in Canada, the United Kingdom and other countries. Thank you for your consideration.

Gary W. Vollan L.D.
vollan@tctwest.net
P.O. Box 332
Basin, Wyoming 82410
www.wysda.org